RICHARD FRISBIE :: Rivalries & Friendships & Wine

    Writing the Fruit of the Vine column in Life in the Finger Lakes magazine allowed  me to visit many of the over 200 wineries in the Finger Lakes region and meet most of the vintners. After reading my Hudson Valley Wine Festival article, my friends in the Finger Lakes reminded me that even though the Hudson Valley is the oldest wine making region in the country, they are the largest wine making region in New York State. It's a friendly rivalry, one often engaged in over the excellent food and Riesling at Red Newt Bistro & Winery.  Well, I just got invited back, for more gentle ribbing and maybe some of those excellent ribs Debra serves with her husband's excellent Cabernet Franc. The occasion? Why it's the largest wine festival in New York State!

    The Finger Lakes Wine Festival, presented by Yancey's Fancy New York Artisan Cheese, is the largest showcase of New York State wines in the country. Watkins Glen International, the historic racetrack at the foot of Seneca Lake in New York's Finger Lake region, is hosting the 12th annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival on the weekend of July 18–20th.



    Once a year, Watkins Glen International, considered The Soul of American Road Racing, is transformed into the Finger Lakes' largest tasting room, where over 600 New York wines can be sampled. An array of quality artisans, hand-crafted jewelry, local farm products, gourmet foods, culinary items, and retail wine merchandise will be featured at the weekend long event. It's your chance to shop, sip, and savor the wines of 80 vineyards, watch live cooking demos, take hands-on culinary classes, attend educational wine seminars, and relax and enjoy live music while sampling gourmet food.



    The celebration kicks-off Friday evening, July 18th, with fireworks, wine, and togas during "Yancey's Fancy Cheese Launch of the Lakes".  Saturday and Sunday the Festival will be open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, featuring a variety of wine from across the state and food by the region's hottest chefs. Camping on Festival grounds, shuttle service to area hotels, and plenty of free parking are also available.

    This is the one weekend everyone converges on the Finger Lakes for the New York State's biggest party. If you are camping on the Race Track grounds, the party lasts 24 hours a day. I'm old enough to forego camping (and the unavoidable partying) for the comfort of a local B&B. With shuttle service to the festival each day there is no need to drink and drive, either. I'll just relax and immerse myself in the superior wines of New York, excellent food by a real RSA (Restaurant Supported Agriculture) proponent, and the congeniality of some of the nicest people in the state. SEE RICHARD FRISBIE - Food and Wine Pairing Perfection


    Tickets for all of the events at Watkins Glen International, including the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, can be purchased online at www.TheGlen.com, or by calling toll free 866-461-7223. Individual tickets are $30 for one or $40 for both days. They are also available at The Shop, The Official Retail Store of Watkins Glen International, located at 2 North Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen.  The Shop carries Finger Lakes Wine Festival apparel, as well as motor sports collectibles, and authentic NASCAR merchandise. Store hours are Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Finger Lakes Wine Festival  
Watkins Glen International   
Yancey's Fancy Cheese                        

Richard Frisbie, FOOD Correspondent:

RICHARD FRISBIE is published twice a month to Gather Essentials: Food 
It is a food junkie's take on growing, raising, preparing and - above all else - eating food. Together we'll explore the trends, addictions, equipment and regional specialties that make up the sometimes mundane and sometimes sublime cooking and dining experience. You can keep up with my other postings and Gather activity by joining my Gather network -- I look forward to hearing from you.